PANJIM: Former Union Environment and Forest Minster Jairam Ramesh has extended his support to the people of Goa in their protest against the Centre’s clearance for felling of around 55,000 trees to facilitate three projects in the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mollem National Park.
“The PM has waxed eloquent on his love for nature while at the same time making moves to destroy the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park. This is sheer hypocrisy. The green lungs of Goa must be saved. #SaveMollem,” Ramesh tweeted
Goa is set to lose around 185 hectares of the pristine Western Ghats’ forest cover for three projects – a highway, railway line double-tracking and a new power line. Scientists, academicians, activists, conservationists and concerned citizens from across the State have objected to the decision of Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) headed by Minister Prakash Javadekar.